Cultivation of Pearlmillet - Agronomy JRF
* Botanical name :- Pennisetum glaucum
* Family :- Poaceae/Gramineae
* Origin :- Africa
* Chromosome no :- 2n=14
* Type of fruit :- Caryopsis
* Type of inflorescence :- Spikelet
* Protein:- 11-14%
* Fat :- 5%
* Carbohydrates :- 67%
* Pearl millet is mineral rich cereal (2.7%)
*
- Bajara is also known as 'Poor mans crop'
- it has biological value similar to wheat & rice.
- Pearl millet is the most drought tolerant crop among the cereal crop.
- Cross pollination is most common in pearl Millet due to Protogyney.
- it also best forage crop.
Soil and Climate
- Pearl millet is warm season, annual plant.
- root system is Same as sorghum
- roots are deep,
- mostly grown in area where annual rainfall is 400-550 mm.
- mostly grown in arid and semi-arid region.
- optimum temperature should be 28-32°c for vegetative growth.
- Rainfall during flowering & grain formation leads to poor grain setting.
- Rain at grain maturity leads to ergot disease due to high humidity & low temperature.
- sandy loam soil is best suitable for cultivation of Pearl millet.
- soil should be well drained, non-saline and non-alkaline.
Sowing
- sowing should be done in June- July.
- Delay in sowing must be avoid.
- Seed treatment should be given
Seed Rate :- 4-5kg/ha
- 3.75kg for nursery cum transplanting.
Harvesting
- Crop is ready to harvest 85-90DAS.
- The ear heads are separated and dried in sunlight and threshed by using mechanical thresher.
- Threshed grains should be dried to 12-14% moisture.
Yield
- Irrigated :- 30-35 q/ha
- Rainfed :- 12-15 q/ ha